I am truly scared for my Black husband | Race-Talk

19.2.11

I am truly scared for my Black husband | Race-Talk: "Last year, at a Town hall meeting in New Orleans, a young African-American boy asked President Obama, “Why do people hate you? And why, aren’t they supposed to love you, if God is love?” The President was taken off-guard but was direct and honest. He explained that people were hurting because of the economy and because he was President the anger was directed at him. He was half right but we all know that there is more to it.

In 2007 a Caucasian woman shared a story with me regarding her response to a black man walking in a parking lot. She said she and her kids were in the car getting ready to leave when she saw him coming towards them. Automatically, she told me, she locked her car door. Her kids immediately drew attention to her reaction. They schooled her on why her action was prejudiced. Embarrassed she realized what she had done and drove off. The black man went about his business without a clue.

I was surprised she felt comfortable enough to share this story with me, a black woman. This is one Caucasian woman who learned something about herself regarding her view of race in America. How many of us, black, white or from other races, are as willing to truly assess our own attitudes and actions with regards to race in this country?"

Labels: american racism, Anti-racism, Human Rights and Liberties, racial profiling, Racism